Two men detained and a woman extradited in Greece’s Marfin bank arson case

Two 42‑year‑old men were ordered into pre‑trial detention after appearing before the 3rd Investigating Magistrate in Athens. The court placed one in the Naousa prison and the other in Malandrinos, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences – a fatal arson that killed three bank employees on 5 May 2010 – and the risk of further crimes. The suspects denied any involvement, saying they only participated in the anti‑bailout demonstration that day; investigators say one broke the bank’s glass façade while the other gave instructions to the attackers.

A 46‑year‑old Greek woman, arrested in London under an Interpol warrant, agreed to be extradited to Greece, signing a letter that prevents her from withdrawing consent. A UK judge said the transfer should be completed within ten days, after which she will appear before Greek authorities.

The investigation has been revived by new photographic analysis and an anonymous e‑mail that led police to re‑examine the case. Journalist Ilias Prokopoulos, who photographed the crowd minutes before the attack, testified, saying: “I saw a group of people that we had never seen before on the marches.” The authorities continue to seek two additional suspects identified in the original investigation.

The Marfin arson remains one of Greece’s deadliest incidents of civil unrest, with the deaths of three bank workers still resonating more than a decade later.